Pantone predicts the colors of the season

June 23, 2014 12:00 AM

Matt Hafley/Post-Gazette

Julie Peterson inside the studio in her North Side home, that she runs as part of the British franchise House of Colour, which provides personal evaluation for individuals to help them pick the right shades for clothing and make-up that best fits them.

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No clue what colors to wear this summer? Ask Pantone and Julie Peterson, both experts on the subject.

Pantone, the leading authority on color since 1963, introduced a balanced mix of both delicate and vivid colors in its report on the latest color trends for spring/​summer 2014.

“It’‍s fun to see what they‘‍re predicting,” says Ms. Peterson, a personal style and color consultant at House of Colour Pittsburgh.

In 2012, she opened a local franchise of the British image consulting company at her home on the North Side. At the end of the month, she will open the franchise’‍s new location in the city‘‍s Allegheny West neighborhood.

House of Colour offers personal color consultations that help people find the hues that most flatter them. After each consultation, Ms. Peterson provides clients with an extensive booklet of color swatches based on the yellow or blue undertones she recognizes in their skiin.

She compliments Pantone for “putting color back in the conversation” and for coming up with seasonal palettes. But she says all the summer colors will not work for everyone. She suggests choosing the ones that look best with your coloring.

Celosia Orange is a challenging one to pull off for most people, Ms. Peterson says, but Pantone also includes more accessible options such as Sand and Paloma. Pantone recommends pairing its “lightly toasted and amiable” Sand with Hemlock and calls Paloma the “quintessential neutral.”

Ms. Peterson chooses colors that are relevant year-round. She says navy is the most universally flattering hue because it is less harsh and more approachable than black.

“It’‍s not as blue as black,” she says in reference to navy‘‍s undertones.

In addition to color consultations, House of Colour Pittsburgh also offers sessions on personal style. “Everybody has a clothing personality,” she says. “I can’t dress you unless I know the person underneath.”

The public is invited to learn more about the services offered by House of Colour Pittsburgh at its upcoming an open house 4-9 p.m. Saturday at 835 Western Ave., For more information on Pantone and House of Color Pittsburgh, visit www.pantone.com and www.houseofcolour.co.uk/​juliepeterson.

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